As GOP Looks To Pass Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' Democrats Launch Effort To Mobilize Against It With 'Organizing Summer'
As Senate Republicans work through a marathon session to pass Donald Trump's 'One, Big Beautiful Bill,' Democrats are outlining plans for a summer of organizing against it and other policies.
Events are being planned in battleground states with key Senate, House and gubernatorial races this November and in next year's midterms. They will include organizing and voter registration efforts, as well outreach at events such as summer concerts, sports games and state and county fairs. The party also plans to equip 'volunteers to authentically enter conversation in non-political spaces, both within their personal networks and in their communities, online and in-person, such as in sports forums, community groups, book clubs, and on social media platforms,' per the announcement.
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The Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Governors Association and the Association of State Democratic Chairs are coordinating the program, called 'Organizing Summer.' The events will take place in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The effort shows the extent to which Democrats see an opportunity with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation, a massive tax and border security bill, includes cuts to Medicaid and rollbacks of clean energy incentives.
A vote is expected on Monday or Tuesday on the Senate version of the legislation which Trump wants to sign by the Fourth of July.
Democrats are trying to recover from the bruising loss in the presidential race, as well as polls that show majority dissatisfaction with the party, and a desire for leaders to focus on economic issues. But polling on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is dismal, while congressional Democrats have repeated the message that it cuts taxes for the rich at the expense of the poor, with its cuts to Medicaid.
Trump and his allies have tried to counter by pointing out the legislation's extension of tax cuts from 2017, while including provisions to deduct taxes on tips and overtime. That provision would run through 2028, and the Senate version includes a cap of $25,000. Just minutes after the Senate voted to advance the One Big Beautiful Act late on Saturday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee targeted Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who has one of the most competitive reelection races next year, for voting against the bill.
In statements announcing the organizing push, party leaders reiterated the focus on cuts to healthcare and tax breaks to the wealthy.
Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, said, 'Donald Trump's tax scam is the least popular legislation to pass through Congress in 40 years, and the more people know about it, the less they like it. Our job this summer is to make sure working families know exactly who is responsible for taking food off their table and ripping away their health care.'
Kirsten Gillibrand, the chair of the DSCC, said that the GOP's 'toxic agenda is driving a midterm backlash that puts their Senate majority at risk.' Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), chair of the DCCC, said that in 'rallies, town halls, and poll after poll, the public is sending a clear message to politicians in DC – they want leaders that work for the people, not the billionaires.'Best of Deadline
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Gizmodo
31 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Elon Musk Wants to Blow Up the U.S. Political System
After a three week silence on political matters, Elon Musk is back. And he appears ready to blow up the entire U.S. two party system. The billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who had gone quiet following a spectacular public feud with President Donald Trump on June 5, has returned to the political arena with a series of explosive attacks. He is now threatening to found a new political party to rival both Republicans and Democrats. This gambit seems to have been planned during his recent absence from the political spotlight. For the past three weeks, Musk's posts on X (formerly Twitter), were focused on his businesses, with promotions for Tesla, his AI chatbot Grok, and his brain chip company Neuralink. That period of calm has ended. In the last 72 hours, he has launched some of his most violent attacks yet against the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' President Trump's signature legislation. Musk argues the bill, which includes massive tax cuts, gives in to pressure from Big Oil and will dangerously increase the national debt. Having previously headed the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, the famous DOGE, Musk believes the priority should be cutting costs, not increasing spending. And he did not hesitate to make his anger known. 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!' the billionaire threatened on X on June 30. He then added a direct promise of political retribution: 'And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.' Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025Musk went even further, promising to found a political party to break the current two party system. 'It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!' the tech mogul posted in anger. He then delivered the final blow: 'Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.' It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!! Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025In another post, he revealed what he would call this third national party, writing, 'If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day.' He continued, 'Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.' If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 30, 2025Essentially, Musk believes neither the Republicans who control the government nor the Democratic opposition represent a significant portion of Americans. He seems convinced the ground is favorable for a new movement. According to a 2024 Gallup study, 43% of Americans identified as independents, while only 28% identified as either Republican or Democrat. To underscore his seriousness, Musk threatened to personally target lawmakers who will vote for the bill. 'Anyone who campaigned on the PROMISE of REDUCING SPENDING, but continues to vote on the BIGGEST DEBT ceiling increase in HISTORY will see their face on this poster in the primary next year,' he threatened, attaching an image with the word 'LIAR' written in large letters. Anyone who campaigned on the PROMISE of REDUCING SPENDING , but continues to vote on the BIGGEST DEBT ceiling increase in HISTORY will see their face on this poster in the primary next year — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025With a net worth estimated at $363 billion by Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Musk certainly has the financial means to follow through. In the 2024 election cycle alone, he spent nearly $290 million supporting Trump and other Republican candidates. However, history shows that third party candidates struggle in the U.S. electoral system. Ross Perot's 1992 presidential run captured 18.9% of the vote but won no electoral seats, and more recent candidates like Jill Stein have polled below 1%. This threat also seems to formalize Musk's divorce from the Trump administration. He signaled this by publicly backing Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who voted against the bill and stated the president lacked authority to bomb Iran without congressional approval. Massie has since become a target of Trump's ire. 'MAGA should drop this pathetic LOSER, Tom Massie, like the plague!' Trump posted about Massie. 'The good news is that we will have a wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I'll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard.' Responding to a post from former Libertarian congressman Justin Amash asking for support for Massie, Musk replied with a simple, direct promise: 'I will.' This isn't the first time Musk has floated the idea of a third party: 'A party more moderate on all issues than either Reps or Dems would be ideal,' he posted in May 2022, adding that: 'This is what most people in America want, but unfortunately it's not realistic.' But now, after a chaotic stint in Washington and a public breakup with the president, he seems more determined than ever. For the moment, President Trump has ignored him. The question is, for how much longer?


CBS News
32 minutes ago
- CBS News
Idaho shooting suspect identified, motive for ambush of firefighters still unknown, sheriff says
The suspect who allegedly ambushed firefighters on the job Sunday in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, had contact and a brief discussion with them before opening fire with a shotgun, killing two and critically injuring a third, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said Monday. Fire officials identified the deceased firefighters as Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52. The third firefighter who was critically injured, engineer Dave Tysdal, underwent two successful surgeries on Monday, fire officials said during a news conference. During a separate news conference Monday afternoon, Norris identified the suspect as 20-year-old Wess Roley. His body was found at the scene of the fire late Sunday night along with a firearm, the sheriff said. Norris said it appears the suspect shot himself. As the Nettleton Gulch Fire continued to burn on Monday, the sheriff said it will take days to fully process the area, but investigators have located Roley's vehicle in an embankment near the scene. He said investigators have not yet been able to inventory the vehicle, which has "a lot of debris in there." People who have seen the vehicle say it appears Roley was living in the vehicle, Norris said. Norris said authorities have not found any writings that would indicate the suspect's motive. The suspect previously had five "very minor" encounters with law enforcement but had no criminal history, according to the sheriff. The interactions with officers "had to do more with trespassing, he was asked to leave and [was] cooperative," Norris said. Other interactions included welfare checks reported by property owners about Roley's vehicle, the sheriff said. Law enforcement officers gather after multiple firefighters were attacked when responding to a fire in the Canfield Mountain area outside Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, June 29, 2025. Young Kwak / REUTERS Authorities are also looking through Roley's social media presence for any clues to a possible motive. Norris said investigators have not found any connection to "Islamic jihad," disputing rumors spreading on social media. "We have information that he, at one time, he wanted to be a firefighter," Norris said, but added that investigators don't know if that has any connection to what happened. Victims identified as veteran firefighters Frank Harwood and John Morrison The families of Harwood and Morrison and the firefighting community as a whole are dealing with "unimaginable loss," Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Chief Christopher Way said during the fire department's news conference Monday. Battalion Chief Harwood had been a member of the department for 17 years, Way said. Harwood was also a well-respected former Army National Guard member, Way said. He is survived by his wife and two children. Frank J. Harwood, Battalion Chief with Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, and member of Kootenai County Fire Fighters, IAFF L2856. IAFF 7th District "This loss is felt by so many, including all of the members of his shift that worked and saw the incident yesterday," Way said. Morrison had been a firefighter since 1996, Way said, adding that he had served the city of Coeur d'Alene for more than 28 and a half years. Way said he had the opportunity to work with Morrison two weeks before he was killed, and they had a "rare moment" to talk. "We talked about being better fathers. We talked about being better leaders. We talked about being better firefighters," he said. John Morrison, Battalion Chief with Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, and member of Coeur d'Alene Firefighters IAFF Local 710. IAFF 7th District After the ambush shooting, Way said local law enforcement agencies are now going on every call with the fire department. "I don't know that we're ever going to be able to guarantee people's peace of mind, at least for a while after an incident like this," he said. "But we are taking every measure we can to ensure safety." Suspect lured firefighters by sparking fire, sheriff says The firefighters were responding to a wildfire Sunday afternoon in a popular recreation area at Canfield Mountain when Roley began firing at them, Norris said. The sheriff said investigators believe the suspect used a flint starter to start the fire to lure the firefighters there. "And we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional. These firefighters did not have a chance," Norris said Sunday. Investigators initially believed there might have been more than one sniper, due to early reports from first responders, but now say the evidence indicates it was Roley armed with a shotgun. "We know that there was a shotgun used, absolutely, 100%, we know that for sure," Norris said Monday, noting that rifled slugs were recovered from the scene. He said smaller fragments were also found in the area, and the scene is still being processed. Two firefighters were killed by a shooter in ambush while responding to a fire in Idaho. Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images Suspect's grandfather describes him as "pretty much a normal kid" According to a Facebook post by his mother, Roley moved from Arizona to Idaho when he turned 18 in 2023 to work for his father's tree-cutting company. In an update shared in October 2024, his mother wrote he was "doing great living in Idaho." In a phone interview with CBS News, his paternal grandfather, Dale Roley, described Wess as "pretty much a normal kid." He said his grandson had recently lost his cellphone and did not have a "high-powered rifle." "He had a .22 long rifle and a shotgun," he said. "That's not a high-powered rifle by any stretch. We're just hoping there's some weird circumstances and Wess wasn't actually involved." Dale Roley confirmed that Wess had worked for his father's tree company, but more recently was working at a different tree company in Coeur d'Alene. He said his grandson "wanted to be a fireman" and applied for a job with the forestry service four or five months ago. In a statement provided by their attorney, Wess Roley's family offered its condolences to the families of the firefighters who were killed and to the Coeur d'Alene community. "There are no words that can suffice for this tragedy and the infinite losses suffered by those affected by this shooting," the family said in the statement. "We do not understand why this happened or how this came about. Our hearts and spirits are broken for the lost and hurting, and for our own loss as well. We intend to fully cooperate with authorities in seeking answers. As we also deal with the grief of this heinous tragedy in our own family, we will not be answering any questions outside of law enforcement." As of Monday afternoon, the Nettleton Gulch Fire has spread to approximately 26 acres, the Idaho Department of Lands said in a statement. No evacuations have been ordered and no structures are at risk, the agency said. , and contributed to this report.


Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Husband of Suzanne Morphew to appear in court to face murder charge a second time
DENVER — The husband of a woman who disappeared on Mother's Day 2020 is set to appear in court in Colorado on Tuesday for the first time since being charged again with murder in her death. Barry Morphew was arrested June 20 in Arizona after being newly indicted in the death of Suzanne Morphew, three years after the initial case against him was dropped because of prosecutorial issues with evidence. Authorities announced Monday that he had arrived at the jail in the small southern Colorado city of Alamosa, not far from where Suzanne Morphew's skeletal remains were found off a dirt road in September 2023. Her remains were discovered accidentally as authorities were searching for another missing woman a year after prosecutors dropped their initial prosecution of Morphew. A 2024 autopsy report said Suzanne Morphew died of 'unspecified means' but ruled her death a homicide. While her remains showed no signs of trauma, investigators found in her bone marrow a drug cocktail used to tranquilize wildlife that her husband had a prescription for, according to the indictment. Barry Morphew has maintained his innocence since his wife disappeared. Two attorneys listed in court documents as representing Morphew at Tuesday's hearing, David Beller and Jane Fisher-Byrialsen, did not immediately return telephone or email messages seeking comment. Beller has previously criticized prosecutors for allowing 'their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence.' The mystery surrounding Suzanne Morphew began when the 49-year-old mother of two daughters, who lived near the small mountain community of Salida, Colorado, was reported missing on Mother's Day 2020. Her mountain bike and helmet were found in separate spots not far from her home, but investigators suspected the bike was purposefully thrown into a ravine because there were no indications of a crash. A week after his wife went missing, Barry Morphew posted a video on Facebook pleading for her safe return and the case quickly drew attention. In May 2021, prosecutors charged him with murder. They subsequently dropped the case in 2022 just as Morphew was about to stand trial. A judge had barred prosecutors from calling key witnesses after the attorneys repeatedly failed to follow rules for turning over evidence in Morphew's favor. The latest case is being prosecuted by a different prosecutor in a separate judicial district where Suzanne Morphew's remains were found, a rural area about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Morphews' home. Investigators found at the site a port through which Suzanne Morphew could receive medicine to treat follicular lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that she had. They also found biking clothes similar to what she was known to wear. Based on the condition of the remains and clothes, a forensic anthropologist theorized that the body likely decomposed elsewhere before being moved to the site, according to Morphew's new indictment.